LITHIUM SODIUM POTASSIUM NIOBATE (RD LNKN)

TANIOBIS is developing lead-free materials based on lithium-sodium-potassium niobate (LNKN) compounds as alternatives to conventional lead zirconate titanate (PZT), which should be replaced with lead-free materials due to its lead content*. Other materials such as sodium niobate and lithium niobate are available upon request.

Our lithium-sodium-potassium niobate has been under development for several years and can be manufactured in custom phase compositions and particle sizes.

Piezoceramic materials based on niobates enable comparable or even improved technological performance compared to lead-based piezoceramic solutions. Due to their higher Curie temperature (approximately 100-150°C higher than PZT), niobate-based piezoceramic materials hold promise as substitutes for lead zirconate titanate. Furthermore, they could be applied in high-temperature environments where current piezoceramic materials like PZT cannot be used.

Piezoceramic materials based on niobates allow the use of nickel electrodes instead of expensive silver (Ag) or palladium (Pd). This enables the compensation of the piezoelectric constant in actuator applications by using more layers while reducing material costs, as the piezoelectric strain of an actuator is proportional to the number of layers at a specific voltage.

*The directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2011 Annex III 7(c)I regulates the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances like lead in electronic components e.g. in actuator, sensor technology or other piezoceramic based components. The validity of the exemption has been prolongated until 21 July 2026.